With footage from 219 DVDs covering the team’s practices, the former coach’s reputation has been transformed from a hot-heated leader — no stranger to in-game ejections — to an abusive tormentor. In the reel, Rice was shown kicking players, hurling basketballs at them and ridiculing them with homophobic slurs.

Because of his actions, Rice was fired and left to pick up the remains of what was left of his disgraced character.

On Friday, Rutgers President Robert Barchi said the decision to terminate the former coach took only “five minutes” after watching the videotape for the first time, according to The New York Times.

In most instances, this action would seem like the appropriate step to a shameful chapter in a school’s history. But, like many recent controversies surrounding college athletics, Rutgers is the latest case in which university officials abused their powers to cover up a situation and decided to ignore the severity of actual events.

Rice’s oppressive behavior during practice was common knowledge to some people connected with the university long before it made national headlines.

The now-viral videotape that led to his firing was viewed by Rutgers faculty members — including the athletic department’s human resources and chief financial officer ­­­— in late November.

Former Athletic Director Tim Pernetti, who resigned last week, also knew of the behavior of his school’s head coach and personally attended practices and assigned a university sports psychologist to the team to moderate his aggression, according to a 50-page document commissioned by the university. Pernetti even suspended Rice for three games and fined him $50,000, according to the report.

But these measures, and the extensive amount of time it to took to find a resolution, showcase a greater issue plaguing college athletics.

Rutgers’ denial to address this behavior reflects a tendency universities have to put the needs of high-profile figures above the personal well-being of their students.

As a head coach, Rice should have been an example of maturity and success — on and off the court — for students to emulate. He should have played a positive role in shaping the minds of his players, instead of berating them with derogatory slurs.

Although it is unclear what more will develop in this troubling case, one thing can go without question.

The primary goal of every university should be to do everything in its power to provide the best environment for their students. A scandal can do more to the reputation of a university than any sporting achievement.

The type of behavior that took place at Rutgers reflects a dark side to what can happen when officials abuse their power and neglect the obligation they have to their students.

These actions don’t belong on a university level and have no place in the Big Ten.